Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) sets up the offensive line during the first half of action. The Indianapolis Colts play the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, MD., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.(Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts are likely going to have their preferred starting offensive line together and ready to go Saturday for the first time since Thanksgiving.

The Colts are about to get back the man in the middle: Ryan Kelly. Kelly suffered a neck injury against the Giants that created pressure on his nerves, resulting in a lack of strength in his arms. He is confident he'll be back against the Texans.

Kelly has felt strength coming back in the first couple of days of the week, and although the Colts did not have a full practice on Tuesday, the session Indianapolis did have was a big step for Kelly’s recovery.

“A lot of it was just the strength in my arms,” Kelly said. “We had a ton of reps yesterday, and even in a walk-through, I’m still snapping it the way I would be in a game, so that’s a big test, snapping 70-80 times in the walk-through.”

Kelly is confident now that he’ll be ready to return against the Texans.

“After the game and after going through some walk-through stuff yesterday, I felt like the strength was back,” Kelly said. “I’m doing some things to hopefully help my neck stay in the same spot and not move around too much, but other than that, I feel well.”

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) before the start of their game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)

Kelly will wear a brace that he described as a horse collar to help his neck, and although there’s some uncertainty in returning to game action, he’s confident.

“I’ve just got to trust that my strength is there and that I’ll be fine,” Kelly said.

If Kelly’s ready to go, the Colts will have their preferred starting five on the field together for the first time since they played the Titans on Nov. 18. Kelly suffered a sprained MCL in that game and missed three weeks, including the Dec. 9 win over the Texans. By the time Kelly returned against the Giants, right guard Mark Glowinski had suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of action for two weeks.

Kelly wasn't the only Colts starter who seems to be making progress. Starting safety Clayton Geathers, who missed the final two weeks of the season with a knee injury, practiced in full on Wednesday. Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (ankle), defensive end Tyquan Lewis (knee) and wide receiver Ryan Grant (toe) were the only Colts who missed Wednesday's practice with an injury, and Hilton has already said he'll play against Houston.